As a lifelong cinema enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in documentaries, I can confidently say that “The Last of the Sea Women” is an exceptional addition to the genre. The film offers a unique blend of sisterhood, resilience, and a poignant look at the delicate balance between humanity and nature.
The Last Dive of the Sea Women
A Great Documentary from Malala, A24, and Sue Kim
Documentary filmmaker Sue Kim and Nobel Peace Prize-winning producer Malala Yousafzai illuminate an intriguing aspect of the lives of the haenyeo, focusing on their powerful bond, resilience, and determination to carry on a tradition even in their advanced years. These extraordinary women, who were once overlooked by Korean society and had limited financial opportunities, turned to the ocean’s abundant resources out of necessity rather than choice.
As a UNESCO guide for the enchanting Jeju Island and a haenyeo who’s immersed in this way of life since my youth, I find myself candidly expressing the limited choices we had. In our small village, it was crucial to feed our children. The sea, however, wasn’t just our provider; it offered us a liberating feeling of freedom and purpose.
Film professional Justin Turkowski documents the intense underwater work of the haenyeo divers. It’s incredible to watch them repeatedly plunge from the water surface to the seabed, often hundreds of times daily for extended periods. Jang shares that reaching a depth known as the “blue wall” several meters down can be like receiving a strong blow to the head. The haenyeo must condition their bodies to endure frequent pressure shifts while holding their breath for minutes and fighting powerful currents. They cling to rocks, extracting cephalopods (octopuses, cuttlefish) along with crabs, clams, mussels, and sea urchins, then swim back up to their buoys where they store their catch in nets. Many haenyeo have lost their lives, as every dive holds the risk of being their last.
Tradition vs. Pollution in The Last of the Sea Women
In a joyful and heartwarming camaraderie, these women laugh at how many men find the task impossible due to its difficulty and danger. Over the years, they’ve built a bond that prioritizes mutual aid. A playful rivalry exists among them as to who can catch the most, yet there’s an unwavering commitment to collective victory. Not a single one of them returns empty-handed or goes hungry. The second phase of their grueling work begins: the catch needs to be processed for market, another labor-intensive task. Despite many of them being over 80 years old, they spend hours meticulously cleaning and cutting without a murmur of complaint.
The film takes a sobering turn as the haenyeo discuss the threats to their livelihood. They have witnessed the awful frontline effects of climate change and filthy human waste. Jang shows Kim miles of plastic, styrofoam, and other litter that has collected on the beaches. This garbage, and pesticide runoff from Jeju Island’s vast farms, kill wildlife en masse. You are disgusted as Kim’s camera pans down to film pools of dead and rotting fish. Jang’s primary concern is the rapid heating of the seawater. Coral bleaching and invasive species like jellyfish compound the crisis. The haenyeo are forced to go farther and dive deeper with less success.
A dire threat emerges during the second act. The haenyeo learn that the Japanese government will release radioactive water from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident into the ocean. The Japanese claim the water has been treated with minimal risk to biological life. Their plan is to slowly pump the wastewater underneath the ocean floor over thirty years. It will reach Jeju Island and South Korea in mere months. Outrage overtakes the haenyeo as they galvanize into action with nuclear activists. Some weep at the thought of their beloved home contaminated by radiation for thousands of years. They have lived long lives, but their children and the generations after will be affected. How can such a terrible thing be allowed to happen?
A Legacy of Women in Tune with Nature
Kim presents Jung Min Woo and So Hee Jin, two ladies hailing from the adjacent Geoje Island. These women are in their thirties and, much like their counterparts on Jeju, turned to the role of haenyeo due to shared circumstances. Jung, previously confined within a cubicle, experienced burnout. So, on the other hand, has three kids and her spouse lost employment. Faced with financial hardship, they found solace in the sea. The ocean, its challenges, and their resilience became their salvation. However, this modern-day incarnation of haenyeo is not unheard of; these women are social media sensations, boasting a popular YouTube channel. They engage in singing, dancing choreographed sequences, yet also demonstrate their courage and fortitude underwater. The film portrays an optimistic perspective on the enduring tradition.
The haenyeo don’t rely on oxygen tanks or scuba equipment; instead, they dive freely into the ocean. This method avoids overfishing and demonstrates their harmonious relationship with nature. Nature sustains them, and in return, the haenyeo acknowledge and respect the boundaries of its resources. They are remarkable individuals, embodying some of humanity’s most admirable qualities, and providing a model for coexisting peacefully within our world without causing irreparable damage to it. The book “The Last of the Sea Women” beautifully captures themes of sisterhood, fortitude, and tenacity.
Titled “The Last of the Sea Women“, this highly-anticipated production from A24 and Extracurricular will make its theatrical debut on October 11th. Following this limited run, it’s set to premiere for streaming exclusively on AppleTV+. Keep an eye out for when you can catch it by clicking the link provided below:
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2024-10-11 06:31